Mexico City

Mexico City was overwhelming, not just in size, but in things to do.

I crammed as much as I could do into my three days, including a fantastic lunch at one of the world's top restaurants, and visits to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a single day (not recommended).

Mexico City is one of the few mega-sized Latin capitals where I'd like to go back and spend more time.

Mayan Ruins

So many ruins, so little time. I struck off from my group on a few occasions to see less-visited ruins like Monte Alban near Oaxaca, and Uxmal south of Merida. As a result of the latter, I never did visit a cenote (underground pool).

Riviera Maya

The group tour finished in Playa del Carmen, a town I was evaluating as a potential place to camp out and work for a few months at a time.

I loved Playa, but I think it may be best reserved as a vacation spot, which is the same way I think ok Thailand. I managed a day trip to Cozumel, and overnight trip to Tulum, before finishing my trip with some fun activities in Cancun.

Reader Interactions

Comments

That’s it! Your post has made me want to head back to Mexico ASAP! I have such fond memories of the mole and markets in Oaxaca, the fish tacos in Puerto Escondido, swimming with Tortugas in Akumal the jungle and ruins in Palenque and much much more!

Ahh the Mayan ruins. So epically epic. I visited before 2012 and the tour guide told us all about the Mayan calendar. Needless to say I left solidly believing 2012 would be my final year on earth. I want my money back.

Yeah… Mexico. We arrived in Mexico City on June 2013, expecting to spend a month or so on our way down to Guatemala. Five months later, after Puebla, Oaxaca, the Pacific coast and San Cristobal de las Casas, we had to force ourselves out of the country before our visa expired. Meaning, we also underestimated Mexico and its fascinating culture, landscape and people. Oh, and severely underrated food. But we still feel we’ve only scratched the surface… Great roundup, kudos! Good luck!

Sounds amazing, Dave! I just got back from a week in Mexico… but most of the time was spent visiting family so I didn’t have a chance to experience half as much as you did. Fingers crossed they’ll be many more trips for the both of us.

I have come to the time in my life that I need to travel as part of a ‘bucket list’ sort of thing. I’ve been a single mother for 18 years, IT’S TIME! Your experience has given me a direction ‘Mexico’. I’m going to put a plan together now, starting with cleaning out everything I don’t need, make a bank balance so that I can enjoy without having to work to much & then where to head to first. I’m very fit & would like to see everything first hand by backpacking.
Thanks , keep pasting on the advice.

I love that area bounded by the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Dave. But if I’m going to long stay there, my choice is Puerto Morelos or Merida. Playa del Carmen is nice and many webtrepreneurs are choosing it as a place of work and there’s a co-working group headquartered there. If I were to bring my work to Quintana Roo, I will choose Cancun over Playa, only because the internet is much faster and the transportation system is amazing. But that’s just me. You should explore the area more. It’s a beautiful place on earth that I am discovering just now.